Balancing device



Feb. 4, 1930. E, KREISSIG 1,745,578

BALANCING DEVICE Filed May 29", 1928 INVENTOR.

5/13 2 Ma s 9 A TTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 4, 1930 PATENT OFFICE nnnsr xnmssre, or U'ERDINGEN, GERMANY BALANCING DEVICE Application filed May 29, 1928, Serial No.

This invention relates to balancing means for the sashes of windows and other like closures or movable objects.

The object of the invention is to provide simple, reliable and eflicient means for balancing thesash or object equally at all points in its path of movement and for sustaining the weight of the sash or object in such manner that a free and easy movement of the sash or object is ensured.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating the invention,

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a window frame and sash provided with the improved balancing means and showing the sash in closed position. a

Figure 2 is a vertical front-to-rear section through the parts shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section through a portion of the window frame and a portion of the balancing spring in wound-up condition.

Figure 4 is a face view of one of the spring supporting brackets.

Figure 5 is a vertical front-to-rear section through one of the brackets and the spring. showing a modified construction.

Referring to the drawing and particularly Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, 1 designates a window sash or like sliding closure which is mounted in a frame or casing 2. The sash is one of disappearing type when moved to open position. As shown in the present instance, the sash when in closed position covers an opening 3 in the lower portion of the window frame, the upper portion of the frame havmg a compartment 4 into which the SflSh dlSiLP- pears or recedes when moved upwardly to closed position.

The sash balancing means comprises a thin metallic normally spirally coiled spring band or strip 5, adapted when drawn out or uncoiled by its spring action or reactive tendency to roll or coil upon itself when free to do so. The lower edge of this strip is secured to the upper cross bar of the sash, as indicated at 6,. while the upper edge 7 comprising at least a part of the initial convolution of the spring engages over and around gudgeons 8 projecting from bracket plates 281,522, and in Norway March 7, 1928.

9 secured to the jambs of the window frame or casing. The gudgeons 8 may be located, if desired, in a compartment 10 at the top of the window frame, and the strip 5 may extend from said compartment into the compartment 4 through a slot 11 in an intervening position, through which slot 11 the strip 5 is adapted to have free movement and to be guided in its movements. Instead of spaced gudgeons, a continuous rod or other suitable suspendmg means may be employed.

When the sash is in raised position,.the greater portion of the spring band 5 is wound in the form of a spiral coil about the gudgeons 8 as a center, the convolutions of such coil being concentric with each other. When fully wound a portion of the strip is left extending between the outer convolution and the sash at the point at which this spring is attached to the sash, which portion of the spring is held straightened out against its tendency to coil and is thus placed under tension, so that a portion of the outer coil of the winding bears with just sufficient gripping force upon the next underlying coil to prevent any unwinding motion of the coil, and a proper frictional resistance isthus instituted to hold the sash 1 balanced and supported. This degree of tension and frictional gripping action is maintained on successive coils or portions of coils as the sash is drawn downward to a greater or less degree for a' partial or full closing movement, so that irrespective of the position of the sash a frictional resistance to its downward movement serving a to balance it and to sustain its weight will be maintained. When the sash is raised and the pull upon the spring strip is lessened and said strip is relieved from tension and permitted to slacken, this slack is immediately taken up by the reaction of the upper portion of the strip which willwind back upon itself. If at any point during this operation while the sash is being lifted, the sash should be released the free portion of the spring be: tween the sash and the coiled portion will be immediately placed under tension again and the frictional binding action above referred to instituted to balance the sash and maintain it in the position to which it has been adjusted.

While the invention has been shown and described as applied to window sashes, it is of course to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, as it may be applied. with equal efficiency to vertically sliding gates, doors, controlling elements which are required to be balanced, and other closures or working elements in connection. with which balancing means of this character may be advantageously used. V

In Figure 5 is shown a modified form of the invention in which the upper edge of the spring instead of being directly hung upon the gudgeons 8 has end tongues 10 engaging recesses in rollers 12 one at each side of the window frame, which rollers may turn loosely on the fixed gudgeons 13. The operation in this case is the same as that previously described, but the rollers will allow the individual convolutions of the spring to shift somewhat more freely, as will be readily understood.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim 1. In a balancing device for sliding objects, the combination of a sliding object, a spring balancing strip of normally spirally coiled conformation secured at one end to said object, and means for supporting the other end of the strip, so that the strip may wind and unwind upon itself, said spring strip being connected to said object so as to leave a straightened portion of the strip adjacent to the outer coil of the coiled portion of the strip and between the same and the object, whereby, in any wound condition of the strip, a tension will be exerted on the straightened portion of the strip to cause the outer convolution of the coiled portion to frictionally bind upon an adjacent coil and thereby always malntain a uniform balance of the object at all points in its path of movement.

2. In means for balancing sliding objects, a guide frame, a sliding object mounted in said frame, supporting means at opposite sides of the frame, and a coiled spring balancin strip secured at one end to the sliding o ject and at its other end loosely engaglng said supporting means, so as to emit the strip to wind and unwind upon ltself, said spring strip being connected to said object so as to leave a straightened portion of the strip adjacent to the outer coil of the coiled portion'of the strip and between the same and the object, whereby, in an wound condition of the strip, a tension wi 1 be exerted on the straightened portion of the strip to cause the outer convolution of the coiled portion to frictionally bind upon an ad jacent coil and thereby always maintain a uniform balance of the object at all points in its path of movement.

3. The combination of a frame, a sash or the like slidably mounted in the frame, and a normally spirally coiled spring balancing band terminally connected with the sash and with fastening means on the frame and a tension will be exerted on the straightened portion of the strip to cause the outer convolution of the coiled portion to; frictionally bind upon an adjacent coil and thereby always maintain a uniform balance of the sash at all points in its path of movement.

4. The combination of a frame, brackets at opposite sides of the frame, a sash or, the like slidably mounted in the frame, rollers mounted on said brackets, and a spirally coiled balancing spring having one end secured to the sash and the other end attached to the rollers and adapted to wind and .unwind upon itself and about the rollers as a center of motion, said spring strip being connected to said sash so as to leave a straightened portion of the strip adjacent to the outer coil of the coiled portion of the strip and between the same and the s'ash,'whereby, in any wound condition of the strip, a tension will be exerted on the straightened portion of the strip to cause the outer convolution of the coiled portion to frictionally bind upon an adjacent coil and thereby always maintain a uniform balance of the sash at all points in its ath of movement.

5. The com ination of a movable member to be balanced, suspending means, and a coiled-spring band fastened to said member and engaging said suspending means and adapted to wind and unwind upon itself about said suspending means as a winding core, said spring strip being connected to said member so as to leave a straightened portion of the strip adjacent to the outer coil of the coiled portion of the strip and between the same and the member whereby, in any wound condition of the strip, a tension will be exerted on the straightened portion of the strip to cause the outer convolution of the coiled portion to frictionally bind upon an adjacent coil and thereby always maintain a uniform balance of the member at all points in its path of movement.

In testimony whereof I aflix my si ERNST KREI SIG.

ature. 

